If you missed a much more positive Week 1 Retrospect, make sure to catch up now!
Marching into Houston, the Kansas City Chiefs were coming off of a thrilling comeback win against the San Diego Chargers. After an offensive let down for three quarters, the Chiefs needed to show up and shock the Houston Texans defense to reprise any worries about productivity. However, the result was a monumental disappointment that was only large enough to happen in Texas. The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a letdown in every way possible, running face to face with an in-penetrable Texans defense. It was a kicker’s dream game as Cairo Santos and Nick Novak combined for eight field goals. Mediocre in every definable way, week two of the 2016 season represents everything the Chiefs need to avoid in 2017.
A Texas-Sized Kansas City Chiefs Letdown – Week Two Retrospect
Fumbling Opportunities Away
The opening drive set an overarching tone for the Texans season. Brock Osweiler was expected to show his ability against a top NFL defense. After all, he was familiar with the Chiefs from being on the Denver Broncos in 2015. But, it was another player – Marcus Peters – who showed why he was great as Peters picked off a goal line pass. It was beginning to look like a replay from the Chiefs blowout in the 2015 playoffs.
However, it was J.J. Watt’s turn to assert his dominance. After the Chiefs started a typical sputtering drive, Watt recovered a snap that sailed over Alex Smith. The dysfunction returned for the Chiefs with another first half of frustration.
The next play was a 27-yard pass from Osweiler to DeAndre Hopkins. The rest of the half was a series of punting and field position. Yet, no matter how hard either defense worked to put their respective team in the right field position, neither team scored. It was not until after Tyreek Hill returned a punt to the Houston 34 that the Chiefs had no choice but to sputter, then kick a field goal.
Based off of a few good plays, and a majority of the work coming from Hopkins, the Texans took advantage of their field position for two more field goals, and a missed one right before half. Alex Smith and Spencer Ware combined for a fumble each. The first half was a huge credit to the Chiefs defense holding any gains from the Texans offense. They only trailed 13-3 when in actuality, it should have been 21 or 28 points for the Texans.
More Missed Opportunities
If the first half was dysfunction, the second half was sleep-walking. The Chiefs offense looked that out of function. Despite the defense, being led by the secondary of Marcus Peters, was stopping the Texans time and time again, the offense got nothing going.
Marcus Peters highlighted again when he picked off Osweiler for the second time. Finally, Charcandrick West busted a 21-yard run up the middle to get the Chiefs in field goal range. But, once again, the offense lost yards and settled for a Cairo Santos 43-yard field goal.
The fourth quarter featured better football by both offenses. The Texans capped off two 11 play drives for a field goal, while the Chiefs completed drives of eight and ten plays for field goals as well. Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce were the main targets in those drives, but at the same time those routes being ran were for chunk yardage. Alex Smith was not in control of the offense and was trying to force passes. The game was depressing, and the ending field goal was a sign to conclude a 19-12 loss.
Takeaways
The first takeaway evolves directly into the second, and is a positive and negative at the same time. First, the Chiefs defense is going to stop teams and put Alex Smith in positions to do work. Second, Smith and Andy Reid must take advantage of these situations with field goals. Like the Texans should have been ahead 28-3 in the first half, the Chiefs should have been right up there at 28 points with the field position that special team and defensive players were creating. What makes this loss harder to take is the fact the Chiefs were in the position to score touchdowns multiple times.
Which brings up the third point – 2017 cannot be a slow start for the Chiefs offense. There are no more excuses for giving up four sacks and three fumbles in one game. It does not matter how good a defense is, the Chiefs must play like the winners they say they are.
Fourth point – to win late in the game, the playbook needs to see more creativity and risk. Alex Smith completed 20 of 37 passes for 186 yards, an average of five yards per pass. In a late game situation where the Chiefs could have put the Texans on their heels and attempted to poke the ball in late, they settled for the same game plan as the first quarter. Andy Reid, as great of a coach as he is, suffers from game-time management. In short, Reid does not evolve his play calling with the game. Knocking on the door of a loss, take a pass deep when you need to score quick multiple times.
Fifth point – Cairo Santos is a great kicker and extremely reliable. With the whole season in perspective, but particularly this game, Santos can be trusted to kick a game winner in the playoffs.
Be risky, be exciting, and do not settle to win on the ‘next’ drive. Win now.
